Battery Monitoring

[larchtree]

Hello all Funsters
I'm sure you will be able to put me right!
See attached pic
I just found this hidden away, only because the red lights were flashing.
I guess this is monitoring leisure battery levels and solar input?
Are the Red lights telling me something?
Thanks
Dave

 

[paddymcc]

I presume that you took the picture when there was no sun to speak of, I think the charge LED would be green if you were charging. I guess the red LEDs show the amount of battery charge. When full (all three lit) they might turn off or even go green...
Keep an eye on it in different conditions.
I suspect it's a cheap PWM controller but haven't seen it before.

 

[Revolvor]

I suspect it's a cheap PWM controller but haven't seen it before.

It's a VERY CHEAP solar controller. I bought one for £4.99 for a solar panel on my shed.
It hardly worked, and I quickly ditched it and bought a better one.

 

[larchtree]

Thanks Guys
paddy - yes a dark day in the north west!
Revolver - any suggestions as a upgrade?

 

[phase3begins]

Here you go

https://docs.rs-online.com/41b2/0900766b8118d4af.pdf

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[Richard n Ann]

Thanks Guys
paddy - yes a dark day in the north west!
Revolver - any suggestions as a upgrade?

This range is great, they keep the engine battery topped up too

VOTRONIC - MPP 165 Duo Dig.

Innovative Elektronik für den mobilen Einsatz

www.votronic.de

 

[paddymcc]

I'm happy with my Votronic MPPT controller. Keeps both batteries topped up with 160W of solar.

 

[ChrisL]

Thanks Guys
paddy - yes a dark day in the north west!
Revolver - any suggestions as a upgrade?

You haven't mentioned what wattage your solar panels are or your battery capacity so it would be difficult to be specific but you might like to consider a Victron charge controller, they have a very good reputation and a 5 year guarantee i think. I have one of these.

Victron Energy SmartSolar MPPT 75V 15 amp 12/24-Volt Solar Charge Controller (Bluetooth) Amazon product ASIN B075NQQRPD

 

[Revolvor]

Revolver - any suggestions as a upgrade

I've actually got a CTEK D250 Combined Solar Regulator and B2B fitted to my van, which I've found works well.

However, as others have said, the two most popular Solar Regulators are Votronic and Victron. Both have a good reputation and are solid products. They have varying features which may influence your choice - Votronic offer a Dual version which will trickle charge your Engine Battery, whilst the Victron Charger can be monitored by Bluetooth, on your phone.

 

[larchtree]

Brilliant - thanks so much to all for their input!

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[Swiss]

It's a VERY CHEAP solar controller. I bought one for £4.99 for a solar panel on my shed.
It hardly worked, and I quickly ditched it and bought a better one.

I'm surprised that you bought it to find out it was crap, didn't the £4.99 tell you anything

 

[Revolvor]

I'm surprised that you bought it to find out it was crap, didn't the £4.99 tell you anything

You are right! That was 10 years ago, before I got my MH, and I knew NOTHING about Solar Controllers.

I have learned so much about MH related items since I joined MH Fun, that I even feel confident giving advice to others!

(Also from North Wiltshire!)

 

[Richard n Ann]

I bought a really cheap controller for our spare 40w panel, it's good quality with modern surface mount components. I'll look it up...

 

[Richard n Ann]

Bobby dazzler

<Broken link removed>

 

[Revolvor]

I bought a really cheap controller for our spare 40w panel, it's good quality with modern surface mount components. I'll look it up...

I've got two of these. One for a battery in my shed, and another on my boat, and they both do a reasonable job. (Not up to Victron or Votronic standards!)

Amazon product ASIN B08XX6ZPBP

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[Lenny HB]

It's a VERY CHEAP solar controller. I bought one for £4.99 for a solar panel on my shed.
It hardly worked, and I quickly ditched it and bought a better one.

I've seen them fitted by dealers on Carthago's.